Close
0%
0%

Peltier Cloud Chamber

DIY cloud chamber using a beefy CPU cooler and a single Peltier module too see ionizing radiation with your own eyes!

nuclearphoenixNuclearPhoenix
Following
Liked Like project

Just one more thing

To make the experience fit your profile, pick a username and tell us what interests you.

Pick an awesome username
hackaday.io/
Your profile's URL: hackaday.io/username. Max 25 alphanumeric characters.
Pick a few interests
Projects that share your interests
People that share your interests

We found and based on your interests.

Choose more interests.

OK, I'm done! Skip
Similar projects worth following
3.2k views
2 comments
15 followers
View Gallery
This cloud chamber is based on a standard dual-tower CPU cooler and a TEC2-25408 Peltier cooler. The Peltier cools down the 10 x 10 cm copper plate on top to less than -30°C so that the Isopropyl alcohol evaporating above condenses at the base, creating a thin fog layer. Ionizing radiation can then fly through this alcohol vapor and with some luck create a visible cloudy trace.

Trace thickness and length depends on the type of radiation: thin and long traces come from beta radiation and thicker as well as shorter traces are a sign of alpha particles.

Short demo video:

Read more »

View all details
  • 1 × TEC2-25408
  • 1 × Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 CPU cooler
  • 1 × 100 x 100 x 2mm copper plate
  • 1 × Bell jar or glas cylinder
  • 1 × Sheet of acrylic

View all 9 components

  • New Video (more action!)

    NuclearPhoenix • 01/05/2024 at 18:22 • 0 comments

    I tried the cloud chamber with a small piece of thorianite today, look for yourself:

  • Improved Cloud Chamber

    NuclearPhoenix • 08/06/2023 at 14:57 • 0 comments

    Here's a small update, I stuck a little more PE tape to the glass around the LEDs so that the light doesn't dazzle so much. I also stapled a few resistors between the two layers of felt and attached them to the 12 volt rail of the power supply. This definitely allows you to see a lot more (especially on camera) now, so thanks for all the suggestions!


    What is still missing is an extraction voltage of a couple hundred to maybe a thousand volts to extract all the extra electrons that are left over after the ionisation. That'll definitely help with visibility/contrast of the traces and how long it takes for them to clear up again. But I don't know if I'll do that yet. For this I would have to build a large frame inside the glass jar and get an high-voltage PSU module.

View all 2 project logs

  • 1
    Mount Peltier to cooler

    Put some thermal paste on the CPU cooler, where the processor would normally sit. Then mount the Peltier module onto it, so that most of the area is covered.

  • 2
    Prepare the copper plate

    Cut the copper plate into a size of around 10 x 10 centimeters. Then drill four holes into the copper that match the location for the mounting screws of the CPU cooler mount.

  • 3
    Insulate the copper

    Put some PE insulation tape on the bottom of the copper plate around the location where the peltier element will sit.

View all 12 instructions

Enjoy this project?

Share

Discussions

j wrote 08/04/2023 at 08:55 • point

What a wonderful detector! It looks like a very clean build.

If you cover the LEDs from the top, so they shine only in the middle, your eyes (and camera) sees more contrast of the traces. If you need even more light i used a strong laser (green) as line laser (shining it sideways through a LED)

best wishes, j

  Are you sure? yes | no

NuclearPhoenix wrote 08/04/2023 at 09:20 • point

Hi there, that's a really good suggestion actually! Don't know why I didn't think of that, so... thanks! :D

  Are you sure? yes | no

Similar Projects

Lots of "Desktop CNC" machines can fit on a desktop. But do they fit _on_your_desk_? Like, between the stapler & paper tray?
Project Owner Contributor

"Desk Accessory" CNC Milling Machine

paul-mcclayPaul McClay

64 LEDs in a matrix on a wireframe controlled by 16 astable transistor oscillators to resemble a computer panel from a 70's TV show
Project Owner Contributor

Analog Blinken Grid

matsengmatseng

Because simply screwing or soldering resistors to a plate is boring.
Project Owner Contributor

Carbon/silicone hotplate

christophChristoph

A giant 9 panel display using WS2812 chip LEDs
Project Owner Contributor

Election Countown Display

criptastichackerCriptasticHacker

Does this project spark your interest?

Become a member to follow this project and never miss any updates

Going up?

About Us Contact Hackaday.io Give Feedback Terms of Use Privacy Policy Hackaday API

© 2024 Hackaday

Yes, delete it Cancel

Report project as inappropriate

You are about to report the project "Peltier Cloud Chamber", please tell us the reason.

Send message

Your application has been submitted.

Remove Member

Are you sure you want to remove yourself as a member for this project?

Project owner will be notified upon removal.